From “Things to Write Down and Record” on Skepdad’s “100 Things to Do Before You’re a Teenager” List.

The Thing to Do…

Chances are that over the course of your life you’re going to meet a lot of people who are — well — famous. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are movie stars. They might be people famous only to others in your community, famous for something they do that you happen to enjoy or follow like the president of a large club or lead singer of a band, or famous because they accomplished something that most of us have not or could not, such as in sports or their job.

To give you a few examples, I once ran into the mayor of our city in line in the grocery store. Or, I’ve sat beside a popular author on an airplane. And once, when I was on a four-person ski gondola in the mountains I was joined for the trip by the host of a well-known international television talk show. The thing is, famous people are people too. They do normal things and go normal places. And while everyone else might just be clambering for their autograph, many people — even famous people — like it when you show an interest in something about them. So… ask them a question.

But my question is this: if you did have the chance to ask a famous person a question — for whatever reason — would you be able to think of a really good one right off the top of your head? Probably not.

So why not write down three now so you’re ready when it happens.

Materials and Methods…

On a small piece of paper, say a card about the size of a business card, jot down three really good questions that if you did come happen to meet somebody famous you could pull out that card and ask away.

What’s a good question? For starters, think about the basic things that makes someone famous: accomplishment, risk, achievement, skill, practice, perseverance, confidence, ability, work, patience, et cetera. Is there something about these ideas that get you thinking about how you could do better in your own life or in school.

For example, you might ask about favorite school subjects, club or teams they had belonged to as a kid, about how much time they spent learning to do what they are famous for, about how much they practice, how often they worry about getting things wrong, or how they celebrate when they get something right.

Use your imagination to find out what you really want to know. Then write it down and tuck it into your wallet or purse for someday when you need it.

(Parents want to know) The Reason to Do It…

Why is this a skeptical thing, you ask? What does this teach kids about critical thinking? My answer is this: lots.

First, folks who can interact with anyone, everyone, and especially other people who are in a position of perceived authority have a leg up on those of us who gush and become speechless around individuals who’ve made it big. So, why not go big yourself — practice — and put a plan of action onto the metaphorical “back burner” until the opportunity occurs. Kids can learn this early on, and why not? They’ve got nothing to lose.

Second, famous people are usually famous because they’ve overcome obstacles and achieved something. This is not always the case, of course, and these things are not necessarily heroic or monumental. But really well framed questions can reveal character traits and fundamental ideas that help us — as evolved monkeys hard-wired to imitate each other — incorporate those traits into our own actions. Or, at least they help us think about how other have overcome common obstacles we might someday face ourselves.

The Results…

This really depends. I think that as far as critical thinking goes, just writing the questions is an act of pondering a lot of the ideas above, and for that alone is worth the effort. But then, on the chance your kid meets someone famous — in passing or otherwise — wouldn’t it be cool if they were prepared? And just think of the answer they might get.